Argentina has the longest tradition in mathematics in Latin America. Names like
Beppo Levi,
Luis Santaló,
Julio Rey Pastor in the first half of the XXth century
are worldwide known, as are those like
Alberto Calderón and
several others in the second half. That long tradition continues with the
younger generation of argentinian mathematicians. In mathematical physics there are active groups at least at the
Universidad Nacional de Cordoba, and at the
Universidad Nacional de La Plata.
Both groups have ties with groups in Chile, and participate in joint
events. Given the long and good tradition of mathematics in Argentina,
it would be desirable to promote mathematical physics in Argentina to
an even higher level.
Brazil has the best scientific organization in South America,
with many people working in many areas. This is true also in
mathematics. There are world class institutions like
IMPA in Rio de Janeiro. In mathematical physics Brazil has for example the excellent group of
Dynamical Systems
at IMPA and the
Instituto de Fisica at the University of
Sao Paulo. They have organized many events, including the
ICMP in Rio de Janeiro in 2006.
There are a few groups in mathematical physics in Chile. The largest group is at the
Universidad Católica de Chile (PUC) in the
Departments of Physics and in
Mathematics), in subjects like Spectral Theory, Schroedinger Operators,
Disordered Systems, and Dynamical Systems. This is the group with
more formal ties with the IAMP, going back to the late 1970's. The
group at PUC has been involved also in the organization of conferences
abroad, and in the organization of thematic semesters in Europe.
There are smaller but active groups at the Universidad de Chile (School
of Sciences) in Santiago, and at the
University of Talca (250 km south of
Santiago). There are close ties among mathematical physicists in
Chile with many in Mexico, Argentina and Brazil. Several Chilean mathematical physicists belong to IAMP.
There are several groups working in mathematical physics in
Mexico. The largest group is at the Instituto de Investigaciones en Matemáticas Aplicadas y Sistemas (
IIMAS) at UNAM. But there other very active groups in Guanajuato (
CIMAT),
Cuernavaca(UNAM), Sonora, and others.
In the rest of Latin America, there are some groups in Colombia, Venezuela, Peru (e.g.,
IMCA) and Costa Rica.
The overall picture is one of activity in many centres with close ties and interactions among them.